Jury trial in Paul Pelosi attack likely in summer, lawyer says
The jury trial in the case against David DePape, the man accused of bludgeoning Paul Pelosi with a hammer in his San Francisco home in the fall, will likely proceed this summer, his attorney said Thursday.
In a short hearing Thursday, prosecutors and DePape’s defense attorney asked a San Francisco Superior Court judge to approve a date in April in which counsel will set a date for his trial in the state’s case against him. He also faces charges in federal court.
DePape will be ordered present at the next state hearing on April 12.
“Preparing a case like this is just a lot of work, a lot of investigation, a lot of everything you can imagine,” said San Francisco Deputy Public Defender Adam Lipson, who is representing DePape. “There’s evidence that’s in the FBI’s possession that’s still trickling in. … I’ve never experienced anything like this before.”
DePape, 42, is accused of carrying out a violent attack against the husband of then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in October. Prosecutors said DePape, armed with a hammer, broke into the Pelosi residence in the middle of the night with a plan to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage.
After a tense and lengthy encounter at Paul Pelosi’s bedside, DePape allegedly struck Pelosi with a hammer and fractured his skull. The bloody encounter was captured by a San Francisco police officer’s body camera.
While in custody, DePape spoke candidly about hurting the speaker’s husband and described the effort it took to break into the Pacific Heights home.
DePape, who is a Canadian citizen, pleaded not guilty to six charges brought by the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office that include attempted murder and firstdegree residential burglary. He faces a parallel proceeding in federal court, where he pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted kidnapping and assault.
He faces life in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors have previously argued that the evidence obtained by investigators and the defendant’s own statements show that DePape attempted to kill Paul Pelosi with “cold and calculated consideration.”
Last month, DePape called the KTVU television newsroom from San Francisco County Jail and told a reporter that he attacked Pelosi because “people’s individual liberties are under attack,” the outlet reported. He also apologized for “not going further” and said he “should have come better prepared.”
Lipson said he had “no comment” about DePape’s phone call.